Which organ is part of the digestive system responsible for water and electrolyte reabsorption?

The large intestine plays a crucial role in the digestive system, particularly in the process of reabsorbing water and electrolytes. After nutrients have been absorbed in the small intestine, the remaining material that enters the large intestine consists mainly of waste and undigested food. The primary function of the large intestine is to reclaim water from this waste material. This process is vital for maintaining the body's fluid balance and preventing dehydration.

Additionally, the large intestine also absorbs essential electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, which are important for various cellular functions and maintaining homeostasis in the body. As the waste moves through the large intestine, most of the water is absorbed, resulting in the formation of more solid waste, or feces, which is then excreted from the body.

In contrast, while the stomach begins the digestive process and the pancreas produces digestive enzymes, they do not primarily focus on the reabsorption of water and electrolytes. The duodenum, as the first section of the small intestine, is primarily involved in the chemical digestion of food rather than the reabsorption of water and electrolytes, which is specifically the domain of the large intestine.